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Fun Day in memory of inspirational Shane Hartop at Marlborough Town's Elcot Lane ground on 12 May

Written by Neil Goodwin on 26 April 2018.

Shane Hartop with the Gold Medal and Trophy that he'd just won at the International Guildford Boccia tournament

On Saturday 12 May the life of Shane Hartop, an inspiration to all whose lives he touched will be celebrated at Marlborough Town Football Club's ground in Elcot Lane, with a fund-raising Fun Day featuring a football match, charity auction, Northern Soul Ska disco and many other activities, all aimed at raising funds for the Shane's favourite Dreamflight charity.

This date coincides with the anniversary of Shane's passing. Shane suffered from spinal muscular atrophy and had been confined to a wheelchair since aged two, but by the age of 25 not only had he lived fifteen years longer than had been predicted but had achieved more than many of us could ever achieve in a lifetime several times longer.

His world record holder for Wheelchair Slalom still stands, he was a champion at paralympic shooting (and would have represented the UK at the 2012 Paralympics had he not been struck down by a bout of pneumonia), and was aiming to represent the UK at Boccia - a precision ball sport for disabled competitors at the next Paralympics in Japan in 2020.

Shane's determination to compete, win and inspire others drove him on and he won in every activity he tried. "He was determined to win gold medals at the Paralympics" said Sharon, Shane's mum. "Illness stopped him realising this goal at both London and Rio Paralympics" she added, "But he was determined to get to Tokyo and come home with the Gold".

Shane's was determined to have fun at everything he did so Saturday's Fun Day fits everything that he lived for. He was a fanatic Leicester City supporter, taking that from his Dad, Dean, and a team from Leicester will be competing against a Marlborough Town team on 12 May, with kick-off at 2pm.

There will be a charity auction with three pairs of boxing gloves signed by champions - Ryan Burnett (current Bantamweight World Champion), Brian Rose (former Intercontinental and British Middleweight Champ) and Callum Smith (former European, British and WBC Champion at Super Middleweight). DJ Mike Flay will be running the Ska / Northern Soul Disco (Shane's favourite music), there will be a Pool tournament between 5pm and 8pm, Crossbar Challenge in the afternoon, a raffle with plenty of prizes, bouncy castle - a Fun Day for all the family.

All proceed will go to Dreamflight, a charity that gives seriously ill and disabled children the holiday of a lifetime in the theme parks of Orlando, Florida. Shane was helped by Dreamflight in 2004. He spent ten days in Florida and "came back a different person" according to mum, Sharon. "The holiday transformed his life, I want to do that for another child" she added.

The Fun Day starts at 1pm on 12 May and goes on till 'late'. To make a donation to Dreamflight through the 'Go Fund Me' page click here

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